Chandigarh – In a major security operation ahead of Independence Day, Punjab Police launched ‘OPS Seal-XVIII’ to monitor and intercept drug smugglers, bootleggers, and other anti-social elements entering or exiting the state. The operation, conducted on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and supervised by DGP Gaurav Yadav, was carried out from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. across all districts sharing borders with other states.
Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla said strong nakas were established at 71 strategic points in ten inter-state border districts — Pathankot, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Fazilka, Rupanagar, SAS Nagar, Patiala, Sangrur, Mansa, Hoshiarpur, and Bathinda. Over 600 police personnel, including Inspectors and DSPs, manned these checkpoints.
During the operation, police checked 2,464 vehicles, issued challans to 286, and impounded nine. Four FIRs were registered, and nine people were arrested.
In parallel, Punjab Police continued its statewide cordon and search operation (CASO) against drugs for the 161st consecutive day. Raids were conducted at 403 locations, resulting in 87 arrests and the registration of 57 FIRs. The seizures included 2.2 kg of heroin and 2.1 kg of opium.
Since the launch of the anti-drug drive, a total of 25,264 alleged drug smugglers have been arrested. Over 180 police teams, comprising 1,200 personnel and supervised by 79 gazetted officers, also checked 433 suspicious individuals during the latest operation.
As part of its three-pronged strategy — Enforcement, Deaddiction, and Prevention (EDP) — the police persuaded 54 individuals to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment on Saturday.
